The Numbers Game: Mastering the Art of Persistence in Sales, Job Hunting, and Even Dating

When it comes to succeeding in the areas of life such as —career, romance, and personal growth—one must realize that it often boils down to a numbers game.?Success in these arenas is not solely dependent on talent, luck, or even who you know, but rather on how consistently and effectively you play the game. Just like in sales, where a successful sale can require a significant number of calls and meetings, job hunting can follow a similar pattern.

Recently, I have been seeing a surge of posts on LinkedIn—people expressing their frustration over the job application process. They sent out hundreds of applications and received just a handful of interviews. The disappointment is palpable and understandable. They are putting themselves out there, time and time again, only to be met with the cold shoulder of rejection. It can feel disheartening and at times even unfair. However, the heart of the matter lies in understanding the dynamics of the process.

Consider the world of Sales. Every salesperson worth their salt knows that to close a sale, a certain number of actions need to take place. First, you must reach out to a prospective customer (Cold/Warm Call); then you must hold meetings to discuss their needs and your solution (Interview). It might look something like this: for every sale, you'll need three meetings, and for every meeting, you need to make 15 calls. That's 45 calls for a single sale. That's the reality of the sales industry—perseverance and tenacity can pay dividends, and understanding the 'funnel' of prospects to sales is vital.

Now, let's apply this to job hunting. Just as a salesperson understands their targets, so too should a job seeker. If you consider each job application as a 'call,' an interview as a 'meeting,' and the job offer as a 'sale,' the parallels become clear. There's no magic number here—it could be 10 applications, or it could be 100, but sooner or later, persistence will pay off. Remember, the 'funnel' of applications to job offers is a natural part of the process.

But, why stop at job hunting? Let's draw yet another parallel. Think about the world of dating. How often does someone meet their future spouse on their first date? It's exceedingly rare. Typically, we go on many dates, meeting all kinds of people, before we find the one person with whom we truly connect. It's a process of trial and error, rejection, and acceptance. And much like sales or job hunting, it's a numbers game.

The fundamental lesson here is not to let the perceived rate of rejection deter you. When the numbers seem overwhelming, remember that it's not personal—it's simply part of the process. Whether it's making the necessary number of sales calls, sending out enough job applications, or going on enough dates, there's a rhythm and method to these activities that transcend the individual instances.

Now, of course, there are ways that you can improve your ratios in three of these life categories.?For job seeking: Networking, resume improvement/refinement, applying to jobs you’re qualified for, working with 3rd party recruiters. For Sales: Better leads, better sales techniques, building relationships, brand recognition, etc., and for Dating: Going out into public settings, prioritizing self-care which includes physical, mental, and emotional, and even networking.

So, next time you're feeling down about the job search process, the sales calls, or even the dating scene, remember—you're playing the long game. It's not about the immediate 'no,' but the eventual 'yes.' If you keep putting yourself out there, keep making those calls, sending those applications, and going on those dates—eventually, you'll hit the sweet spot. It's a numbers game, after all. And in this game, persistence, resilience, and a positive attitude can make all the difference.

Remember, every 'no' brings you one step closer to a 'yes.' So, keep playing. The game isn't over yet.